Magazine loading means



R. M. WHITMORE MAGAZINE LOADING MEANS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Robert M. Whitmorc Inventor Y M His Attorney Filed Aug. 25, l94 1 Nov. 7, 1944.

.Nov. 7, 1944. R. M. WHITMORE MAGAZINEVIJOADING MEANS Filed Aug. 25, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Robert M. Whitmore Inventor By W His Attorn ey Nov. 7, 1944- R. M. WHITMORE MAGAZINE LOADING MEANS Filed Aug. 25, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 9 48 I l 138 "/36 /54 a Robcn M. Whi tmm-c Inventor Y M M His Attorney R. M. WHITM ORE MAGAZINE LOADING MEANS Nov. 7, 1944.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 MW wmm Rob ert M. Whitmorc Inventor His Attorney Filed Aug. 25, 19 41 Patented Nov. l', 1944 MAGAZINE LOADING MEANS Robert M. Whitmore, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The National Cash Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Maryland Application August 25, 1941, Serial No. 408,157

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to a mechanically operated device for loading the magazines of repeating firearms.

The present invention is directed to a mechanically operated device'to feed cartridges into the magazines of repeating firearms until said magazines are filled to capacity. In the present embodiment of this device, the cartridges are fed one at a time from a storage hopper or clip into a spring-actuated magazine which, after being filled, is used to feed the cartridges into the firing chamber of an automatic repeating firearm. The present invention eliminates the hand-loading of such magazines, which at best is a tedious and slow process, and especially is this true when the cartridges to be loaded are of a comparatively large caliber and the magazines associated therewith are of heavy and/or rugged construc tion. The present machine is constructed to handle these large-caliber cartridges efficiently.

With the above statements in mind, it is broadly an object of this invention to provide a mechanically operated device for loading 'cartridges into the magazines of repeating firearms.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a mechanically operated device for transferring comparatively large-caliber cartridges, one at a time, from a storage hopper or clip into the magazine of a repeating firearm.

With these and incidental objects in view, the invention includes certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth in appended claims, and a preferred form or embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification.

In said drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the complete device, partially sectioned to illustrate certain details better, showing a loading clip and a magazine in place on said device.

Fig. 2 is a detail view of a fragment of the spiral spring for actuating the feeding mechanism of the magazine.

Fig. 3 is a detail view, partially sectioned, of the magazine spindle for transmitting the power of the magazine spring to the cartridge-feeding (Fig. 1) looking in the direction of the arrows, showing in detail the slide for advancing the cartridges into the spiral groove of the magazine after said cartridges have been fed from the clip into the mouth of said magazine.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 5-6 (Fig. 1) looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the detail construction of the magazine and the slide for advancing cartridges into the spiral groove of said magazine.

Fig' 7 is a sectional view taken along line 1-1 (Fig. 1), looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, showing in detail the mechanism for feeding cartridges from the hopper or clip into the magazine.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing in detail the retaining fingers for the cartridge clip.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 (Fig. 1), looking in the direction of the arrows, and shows in particular the construction of the feed bar mechanism,

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along line lfi-iil (Fig. 1) looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, showing in particular the operating crank and associated mechanism.

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the complete device with the cartridge hopper or clip removed.

Fig. 12 is a detail perspective view of the ratchet lever for tensioning the spring for the cartridge feeding mechanism.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the bed portion of the device of this invention.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of the bed taken along line I l-l4 (Fig. 13), looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, showing the shape of the portion of the cartridge slot or channel located directly beneath the cartridge magazine.

Fig. 15 is a detail perspective view of the slide bar for feeding cartridges from the clip to the magazine.

Description As previously explained, the present invention is directed to a comparatively simple and eX- tremely efficient device which upon the operation of a hand crank unloads firearm cartridges from a clip or hopper and simultaneously loads them into the spiral groove of a drum type magazine for automatic repeating firearms.

Directing attention to Figs. 1, 11, and 13, the mechanism of the device of the present invention is supported on a bed plate or table 25 having secured to each end thereof standards or legs 26 and 21 which supoprt said table 25 at the proper height for convenient operation. The plate or table has running lengthwise therein an inclined T-shaped slot or channel 28, which slidably supports a cartridge feed slide or bar 29 (see also Figs. 7, 9, and 15) which bar is retained in said slot 28 by rails 30 and 3 I, which also assist in slidably supporting said bar 29. I'he rails 38 and 3l (Fig. '7) are secured in a portion of the slot 28.

A downward extension 32 of the bar 29 (Figs. 1 and 9) has a hub portion 33 having therein a boring which forms a bearing for a pin 34, which pin in turn forms a pivotal support for the lefthand ends of two identical links 35 and 36. The right-hand ends of the links 35 and 36 (Figs. 1

and 10) are pivoted on a screw stud 31 secured in shaft 4!, and the arms 38 and 39 are manually rotated. A bushing (Fig. 10) free on the stud 31 maintains the proper spacing between the links 35 and 36.

As presently constructed, the device of this in- Referring still to Figs. 1, 11, and 13, the table 25 has therein a rectangular opening 46, which communicates with the slot 28, said opening adapted to receive the mouth of a clip 41, which holds suffi-cient cartridges 48 to fill the spiral cartridge track or groove in the cartridge magazine. The clip 41 has secured to the mouth thereof a band 49, which is adapted to engage a shoulder in the opening 46 and is locked in place against said shoulder by two eccentric clamps 58 and 5|, which may be brought into engaging relationship with said band 49 after the clip 41 is properly placed in said opening 46, after which the eccentric clamps 58 and 5! may be rotated to lock said clip 41 in place. The eccentric clamps 58 and 5! are rotatably supported in holes in brackets 52 and 53 secured to the top surface of the table 25, and each of said clamps and 5! is provided with a cross pin to facilitate the turn-- ing thereof.

The clip 41 (Figs. 1 and 8) has opposed spring fingers 54 near the mouth thereof to prevent the cartridges 48 from rolling out of said clip 41 when it is in a substantially horizontal position. However, the tension of the spring fingers 54 is not sufficient to prevent said cartridges 48 from dropping into the slot 28 when the feeding bar 29 is retracted.

In Fig. 1,the feed bar 29 is shown in fed position. Turning the hand crank 43 in a counterclockwise direction causes the crank arms 38 and 39, in cooperation with the companion links 35 and 36, to shift the bar 29 toward the left until the face of a fiber plug 55 pressed in a hole in the righthand end of said bar, moves beyond the nose or bullet end of the bottom cartridge 48 in the clip 41. This permits the cartridges 48 to shift downwardly, under their own weight, to bring the bottom cartridge into the inclined groove or channel 28, where said cartridge comes to rest on a V-shaped track or way formed by the rails 38 and 3| (Fig. '1) It will be noted that the nose of the bullet of the bottom cartridge 48 comes to rest on a conforming curved surface of an extending lip I42 formed on the end of the feed bar 29. Continued rotation of the hand crank 43 causes the feed bar 29 to reverse its movement and shift toward the right, whereupon the face of the fiber plug 55 engages the nose of the bottom cartridge 48, which now rests on the track formed by the rails 30 and 3|, to feed said cartridge toward the right, out of register with the clip 41 and into the mouth of a magazine 56.

The mouth of the magazine 56 is adapted to fit into a rectangular depression 51 (Figs. 1, 11, and 13) in the top surface of the table 25, which depression connects with the channel 28 for guiding the cart-ridges 48 from the clip 41 into the mouth of said magazine 56. The mouth of the magazine 56 (Figs. 1, 6, and 11) is retained in the depression 51, and said magazine is retained in proper position on the table 25, bvmeans of studs 58 and 59 on the left-hand end of said magazine, which studs slip under a rounded nose 68 formed on the bracket 53, and by means of a lip 6| on said magazine, which rests on an upper surface of an extension of a bracket 62 secured to the top surface of the table 25, and said lip is clamped against said surface by a slide bolt 63, which is adapted to pass thereover. The slide bolt 63 fits freely in a slot in the bracket 62, and said bolt has therein a slot adapted to be engaged by a rounded extension on a handle .64 pivoted on a pin in an upward extension of said bracket 62. 1

To remove the magazine 56 from the table 25, the handle 64 is moved upwardly to shift the bolt 63 toward the right (Fig. 1) out of engagement with the lip 6i. Said magazine may then be grasped by convenient handles 65 and 66 and tilted toward the left until the right-hand end of the mouth of said magazine clears the table 25, after which said magazine may be shifted toward the right to move the studs 58 and 59 from beneath the rounded nose 68. The magazine may then be lifted clear of the table 25. The reverse procedure is followed in putting a new magazine in place on the table 2 5.

The construction of the mouth of the magazine 56 (Fig. 1) is such that it is open for the insertion and removal of cartridges only on the left-hand side of said magazine, or the side adjacent to the clip 41, and the construction of said mouth is such that it is necessary to feed the cartridges into and out of said mouth lengthwise and one at a time. The mouth of the magazine 56 (Figs. 1 and 6) has inturned lips 61 to hold the cartridges 48v against downward movement and to insure that they are fed into and out of said mouth in the manner explained above.

While the slide bar 29 (Fig. 1) is traveling toward the right to feed the bottom cartridge 48 out of the clip 41 and into the magazine 56, the top surface of said bar passes beneath the next cartridge in said clip to obstruct downward movement of all the cartridges 48 until said slide bar 29 is returned to its starting position.

It will be noted by referring to Fig. 1, that the feed bar 29 is of suflicient length that the top surface thereof substantially covers the opening or mouth of the clip 41 when said bar 29 is in fed position. This prevents the possibility of the lefthand end of the feed bar 29 nibbling on the nose of the bottom cartridge 48 when said bar is being returned toward the left from fed position, as shown, to initial or take-up position.

After a cartridge 48 (Fig. 1) has been fed into the mouth of the magazine 56, as explained above, a lifter mechanism functions to raise the cartridge intothe spiral groove of said magazine and to hold said cartridge in such raised position until another cartridge is fed therebeneath.

The cartridge lifter mechanism includes a slide 18 (Figs. 1, 5, and 6) mounted for substantially vertical shifting movement by means of tongues on opposite edges thereof in cooperation with corresponding grooves in downwardly extending posts H and 12 secured to the bottom surface of the table 25. The slide it carries a stud 13, which forms an axle for rollers hi and arr'anged to cooperate, respectively, with camming surfaces 15 and Ti on. the upper edges of the links 35 and 36.

Continued counter-clockwise rotation of the hand crank t3 (Fig. 1). after a cartridge 48 has been fed. into the mouth of the magazine 58, returns the links 35 and 35 and the feed bar 2?! toward the left, causing the camming surfaces l6 and ill on said links 35 and 35. in cooperation with the rollers It and 15, to lift the lifter slide 19 through an opening in the table until a shoulder E8 on one edge of said slide moves above a latching tooth 79 on a rod iii The right-hand end of the rod 8!} slides in a boring in the post 5 l. while the left-hand end of said rod is pivoted on a pin Bl secured in a downwardly-extending arm of a three-armed lever 82 pivoted on a stud 83 (Figs. 1, 7, and 9) supported by upturned extensions of similar brackets 86 and 85 secured to the bottom surface of the table 25.

A spring M3 (Fig. 1) tensioned between the pin BI and the post I l, urges the lever 82 counter clockwise and the rod 88 toward the right to normally maintain the tooth 19 in engagement with the left-hand edge of the slide H3, as here shown. Therefore, when the shoulder 18 moves above the tooth l9, as explained above, the spring M3 immediately moves said tooth l9 beneath said shoulder E8 to latch the slide iii in its upward position. In addition to the spring 143, a rounded nose 8% (Figs. 1 and 9) on the lefthand arm of the lever 82 is engaged by the hub 33. near the end of return movement toward the left of the bar 29, to rock said lever 82 counter clockwise to shift the rod 86 toward the right to insure that the tooth 19 moves beneath the shoulder 18, in case said spring M3 for any reason fails to effect such movement.

The instant the right-hand end of the bar 29 moves beyond the left-hand end of the lowest cartridge in the clip fill, said cartridge drops down into the channel 28, whereupon continued rotation of the crank 43 causes the links and 35 to shift the bar 29 toward the right to feed said cartridge into the mouth of the magazine and beneath the lowest cartridge in said magazine. which cartridge is held by the lifter slide 10 and the latch rod 89 in a position above the cartridge now being fed. After the cartridge now being fed is beneath the left-hand end of the bottom-most cartridge in the magazine 55, the hub 33 on the feed bar 29 (Figs. 1 and 9) engages a rounded nose 8'! on the right-hand arm of the lever 82 to rock said lever clockwise to shift the rod 8!) toward the left to disengage the tooth l8 from the shoulder 18. This releases the slide it, which drops downwardly, due to gravity, until a shoulder 68 on said slide engages a stop stud 69 in the post 12, in

' 'gagement with the shoulder 18 said hub .33 en-fl which position the slide is out of the path of the incoming. cartridge. However, in addition to the operation of the slide 10 due to gravity, positively-actuated means is provided to insure that the slide 10 is moved down out of the path of the incoming cartridge. This positively-actuated mechanism includes a lever 88 (Figs. 1, 5, 6, and 7) the left-hand end of which is pivoted on the stud 83, while the right-hand end of said lever is pivoted on a stud 89 in the slide HI. The lever 88 is slotted at its right-hand end, as shown in Fig. 5, to clear the post H and the slide 10, and is also slotted at its left-hand end, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7 to clear the lever 82.

While the hub 33 (Figs. 1 and 9) continues in engagement with the nose 81, to prevent the sprin [53 from returning the tooth 19 into engages a rounded camming surface 93 on the top edge of the lever 88 to rock said lever clockwise to shift the lifter slide 10 downwardly out of the path of the incoming cartridge 48. The hub 33 (Fig. l), in cooperation with the top edge of the lever 88, holds said lever and the lifter slide 10 against upward movement, while a cartridge is being fed into the magazine 56. The slot formed by the upward extensions of the side members of the brackets 84 and (Figs. 1 and '7) provides clearance for the left-hand end of the links 35 and 36, while the arms 38 and 39 (Fig. 10). provide clearance for the right-hand ends of said links.

If for any reason forward or feeding movement of the feed bar 29 (Fig. 1) is interrupted before the hub 33, in cooperation with the camming surface 96, forces the lifter slide 10 downward, momentum of the comparatively heavy cartridge 48 may be sufficient to cause the ignition end of said cartridge to strike the upper left-hand corner of said lifter slide 10 with sufficient force to discharge said cartridge. To overcome this condition, the upper left-hand corner of the slide 10 has been tapered, as indicated by the reference numeral Hi4, so that only the extreme rim of the cartridge being fed will strike said block. thereby overcoming the danger of said cartridge being discharged. A rubber bumper M5 (Fig, 1) inserted in a hole in the right-hand wall of the opening 51 and located opposite the mouth of the magazine 56, provides a cushion against which the incoming cartridge 48 strikes, to further overcome the danger of said cartridge being accidentally discharged.

From the foregoing description. it is evident that turning the crank 43 counter-clockwise (Fig. 1) causes the cartridges 48 to be fed one at a time, and in a continuous stream, from the clip into the magazine 56, and that. as the cartridges 48 (Figs. 1 and 6) are fed into the mouth of the magazine 56, they are lifted upwardly by the lifter mechanism into a spiral groove 9! formed by similar spiral strips 92 and 93 secured, respectively, to the righthand and left-hand side plates 94 and 95 of said magazine 56. A curved cover plate properly spaces the side plates 94 and 95 and is clamped between said side plates by bolts extending therebetween.

As the cartridges 48 are pushed upwardly into the spiral groove 9i they follow said groove until the magazine is filled to capacity, and this is determined by the cartridge feeding mechanism coming into contact with a stop stud 96 (Fig. 6) projecting from the left magazine side plate 95.

A tension device, which is effective when the loaded magazine is attached to a firearm, is provided for feeding the cartridges constantly into the mouth of the magazine, from which position they are fed into the firearm, and, as this tension device also plays an important part in the loading of the magazine 56, a brief description thereof will now be given.

The tension device for feeding the cartridges 48 out of the magazine 56 and into the firearm comprises a hollow spindle or shaft 91 (Figs. 1, 3, and 6) iournaled in borings in the center of the side plates 94 and 95 and having secured thereto a casting 98. The casting 98 and the shaft 91 have registering slots adapted to slidably receive a bar 99 carrying a stud I00, to which is pivoted the upper end of a link IOI. A stud -I02 pivotally connects the lower end of the link IN to another link I03 pivotally connected by a stud I04 to a cartridge feed bar I05 (Figs. 1 and 6) having .a rounded surface I06 adapted to resiliently engage the first cartridge 48'in the spiral groove 9|, as shown in Fig. 6. The feed bar I05 carries a stud I01, which forms an axle for a roller I08, while the studs I and I02, respectively, rotatably support rollers I09 and H0. The rollers I08, I09, and H0 are arranged to roll freely in the spiral groove 9| formed by the spiral strip 92, to guide the feed bar I in said groove. The links IOI and I03 form a flexible connection between the bar 99 and the feed bar I05, so that said feed bar may readily follow the spiral groove. The matching slots in the shaft 91 and the casting 98 (Fig. 6) permit the bar 99 to move in, and out as the rollers I08, I09, and

I I0 travel around the spiral groove 9I 'Tension is applied to the shaft 91 (Fig. 6), the casting 98, the bar 99, and the feed bar I05 by a flat spiral spring I I I, which is similar to a heavy clock spring and which urges said parts, including-the cartridge feed bar I05, in a counter-clockwise. direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, to constantly urge the cartridges 48 toward the'mouth of the magazine 56. The fiat spring I I I is connected to the shaft 91 and associated parts in the following manner:

Free on the shaft 91 (Figs, 1, 2, and 3) is a sleeve I I2 having two lugs I I3, which'engage corresponding slots in the internal end of the spring III, while the external end of said sprin is connected by rivets I I4 I (Fig. 6) to the inside surface of a drum I I5 secured to the left-hand plate 95, said drum forming a housing for said spring III. l

The left-hand end of the sleeve I I2 (Figs. 3 and 4) has a plurality of combined ratchet and clutch teeth I I 6 adapted to cooperate with similar teeth in the right-hand-end of a clutch sleeve I I1 slidably supported on the hollow shaft 91 and having therein four clutch slots adapted to engage four corresponding clutch tenons H8 formed on the periphery of the shaft 91. A compressible spring I-I9 (Fig. 3) fits loosely around a reduced portion of the left-hand end of the shaft 91 and is compressed between a shoulder in the sleeve H1 and a pin I20 in the left-hand end of the shaft 91 to urge said sleeve II1 toward the right or inwardly to normally maintain the teeth therein in engagement with the corresponding teeth II6 on the end of the sleeve II2. However, the clutch teeth in the sleeve I I1 may be disengaged fromfthe corresponding clutch teeth I I6 and retained disengaged by pulling outwardly or toward the left on said sleeve, against the action of the spring II9, until the clutch cuts in said sleeve are free of the tenons H8, after which revolving said sleeve I I 1 a slight distance will move tenons H8, to retain the teeth on said sleeve II1' out of engagement with the teeth II6.

When the magazine 56 (Fig. 1) is being loaded, the sleeve H1 is separated from the sleeve I I2, as here shown. Consequently, the spring III is not tensioned and remains so until the magazine is completely loaded. After the magazine 56 has been loaded to capacity, a wrench I2I ,(Fig. 12) is used for tensioning or winding the spring III. I

The handle portion of the wrench I2I rotatably supports a bushing I22 having on the periphery thereof ratchet teeth I23, which cooperate with a spring-pushed ratchet pawl I24 pivoted on a screw stud secured in said handle I2 I. The bushing I22 has, in the boring thereof, diametrically opposed slots I25 adapted to engage corresponding tenons I26 (Figs. 1, 3, and 11) on the sleeve H2, for the purpose of revolving said sleeve to tension the spring III after the magazine has been filled with cartridges.

After the spiral groove 9I (Fig. 6) in the magazine 56 has been filled with cartridges, which is determined by the roller I09 striking the stop stud 96, said magazine is removed from the table 25 and placed with the right plate 94 down, so that the sleeve II1 extends upwardly. Next, the sleeve H1 is revolved in either direction by hand until the four clutch cuts thereon engage the tenons II8 on the shaft 91 and the teeth on said sleeve II1 engage the teeth I I6 on the sleeve I I2. Next,

' the wrench I2I is slipped over the sleeve I I1, and

the slots I25 in the bushing I22 are engaged with the tenons I26. Working the handle of the wrench I2I back and forth causes the ratchet pawl I 24, in cooperation with the teeth I23 on the bushing I22, to rotate said bushing and the sleeve H2 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 6, to tension or Wind the spring I I I. The teeth I I6 on the sleeve II2 ratchet over the teeth'on the sleeve II I, which latter teeth are spring-urged into engagement therewith and which, together with the shaft 91 and the sleeve I I1, are retained stationary by the cartridges 48 and the stud 96 When the magazine is filled to capacity.

An indicating device, not shown, is connected to the sleeve II2 to indicate when the spring I II is properly and/or fully tensioned.

Tensioning the spring III as explained above causes the sleeve I I2 due to its connection to the sleeve II1, to urge said sleeve, the shaft 91 (Fig. 6), the casting 98, the bar 99, and the cartridge feed bar I05 counterclockwise to constantly urge the cartridges 48 toward the mouth of the maga-' zine, so that, as fast as one cartridge is moved out of said mouth into the firearm, another cartridge will immediately take its place, to cause said firearm to fire automatically as long as there are any cartridges in the magazine 56.

Before an empty magazine 56 is placed on the table 25 (Figs. 1 and 6) for refilling, the teeth in the sleeve II1 are disengaged from the teeth H6 in the leeve I I2, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 and as explained before, to disconnect the shaft 91 from the sleeve II2, so that the lifter mechanism will not have to function against the tension of the spr'ingII I as the cartridges 48 are fed around the groove 9|. However, it has beenfound necessary to apply sufiicient friction to the shaft 91 and connected parts to hold the cartridges 48 against the action of gravity as they are fed around the declining portions of the spiral groove 9|. If no tension is applied to the shaft 91 and connected parts, the cartridges 48 may run ahead of the lifter mechanism when they reach the declining portions of the spiral groove 9!, and, as a result, they may become wedged in said groove and thus interfere with the proper loading of the magazine 56.

Means for imparting the proper restraint to the shaft 91 and connected parts, including the cartridge feed bar I (Figs. 1 and 6), comprises a friction disk I30 (Figs. 1, 9, and 11) free in a boring in a plate I3I hinged to the bracket 53. Secured in the center of the disk I3!) is a stud I32, the tenon of which extends into a boring in the plate I3I to assist in rotatably supporting said disk I30. The disk I30 has in the periphery thereof an annular groove engaged by friction studs I34 and I35 free in diametrically opposed holes in the plate I3I and maintained in frictional engagement with the bottom of the groove I33 by compressible springs I36 and I31, the tension of which springs may be adjusted by screws I33 and I39 threaded in the holes for said springs and said studs. The hinged connection between the bracket 53 and the plate I3I permits said plate and the friction mechanism to be swung out of the way while the magazines 58 are being removed from and placed on the table 25. A pin I40 (Fig. 9) free in a hole in the plate I3I is arranged to be engaged with a hole in an upward extension of the bracket 53 to hold the plate I3I and the friction mechanism in operating position, as shown in Fig. 1.

As stated above, the pin I48 is disengaged from the hole in the extension of the bracket 53, and th plate l3] and the friction mechanism are swung toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, out of the way, until a new magazine is mounted on the table 25. After the new magazine is in place, the plate l3i is swung back toward the right, and the tapered nose of the stud I32 is simultaneously engaged with the borings in the sleeve I I1 and the hollow shaft Bl, after which the disk I33 is rotated, by means of th knurled periphery thereof, until a slot MI in the stud I32 engages the pin I26 (Fig. 3) secured in the left-hand end of the hollow shaft 91. After the slot fill in the stud 432 has been engaged with the pin I 23, the securing pin I lB is engaged with the hole in the upward extension of the bracket 53 to hold the plate 134 and the friction mechanism carried thereby in operating position, as shown in Fig. 1. This connects the friction mechanism to the shaft 9? (Figs. 1 and 6), the casting 38, and the cartridge feed mechanism, including the bar 99, the links ill! and I03, and the cartridge feed bar I05, and said friction mechanism imparts sufiicient restraint to the above parts to maintain the rounded surface I86 on the feed bar N5 in constant engagement with the first cartridge 43. This maintains the cartridges in close formation or in constant cont-act with each other as they are fed around the spiral groove 9|, thereby overcoming the danger of any of the cartridges becoming wedged in said spiral groove While moving around the declining side thereof.

After the magazine 56 has been loaded with cartridges, the pin I43 (Figs. 1 and 9) is withdrawn from the hole in the upward extension of the bracket 53, and the plate I3I and the friction mechanism are swung toward the left, as viewed in Fig. l, to permit the removal of the loaded magazine from the table 25. 'After the loaded magazine has been removed from the table 25, the sleeve I I1 is revolved by hand (Figs.

1 and 3)' until the ratchet teeth therein engage the teeth H6 in the sleeve H2, after which the spring III (Figs. 2 and 6), which operates the cartridge feeding mechanism, is tensioned by means of the wrench I2I (Fig. 12) in the manner explained earlier herein.

While the form of mechanism shown and described herein is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to b understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form or embodiment herein disclosed, for it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the class described, in combination with a magazine for feeding cartridges into a repeating firearm and a container for holding cartridges to be transferred to the magazine, of a stand comprising a table portion to support the magazine and the container; means including a reciprocating member carried by the table for transferring the cartridges, one at a time, from the container to a point opposite the magazine; a lifting device for lifting each cartridge from the table into the magazine; means to maintain the lifting device in elevated position to support the cartrides in elevated position until the next fed cartridge has been moved partially under the elevated cartridges; and means to thereafter release the lifting device.

2. In a device for transferring cartridges from a container to a magazine for repeating firearms, the combination of a stand including a table portion and supports therefor; depressions in the table for receiving the container and the magazine; means to removably clamp the container and the magazine in the depressions; an inclined channel in the table to connect the depressions and to form a passageway for the cartridges; a reciprocating member operable in the channel to advanc cartridges from the container to the magazine; a lifting device operable in conjunction with the "member to lift the last advanced cartridge into the magazine; means to maintain the lifting device in elevated position to support the last advanced cartridge in lifted position until the next advanced catridge has moved partially therebeneath; and a means to release the lifting devic after said last advanced cartridge has moved partially beneath the last lifted cartridge.

3. In a device for transferring cartridges from a container to a magazine 'for repeating firearms, the combination of a stand including a table portion and supports therefor; openings in the table for receiving the container and the magazine; means to removably clamp the container and the magazine in the openings; an inclined channel in th table to connect the openings and to form a passageway for thecartridges; a slide mounted in the channel; means to reciprocate the slide to advance the cartridges one at a time from the container into the magazine; a lifting device operable by the reciprocating means to lift the last advanced cartridge out of the path of movement of the next advancing cartridge; means operable by the slide to retain the lifting device in lifted position until said next advancing cartridge has started beneath said lifted cartridge, whereupon the slide releases said retaining means; and means operable by the slide to force the lifting device downwardly out of the path of said next advancing cartridge.

4. In a device of the class described for transferring cartridges from a container to a magazine for repeating firearms, the combination of a stand including a table portion and supports therefor; two openings in the table adapted to receive, respectively, the container and the magazine; means to clamp the container and the magazine in the openings; an inclined'channel in the table connecting the two openings; a slide mounted in the channel; means to actuate the slide; means to connect the slide to the actuating means so that operation of said actuating means will reciprocate said slide to feed the cartridges, one at a time, from the container, through the channel and into the magazine; means operated by the connecting means to lift the last fedcartridge out of the path of movement of the, next fed cartridge; means operated by'the slide to latch the lifting means in lifted position until the next fed cartridge has moved partially beneath the last fed cartridge, after which said slide releases the latchmeans to operate the slide; links to connect the operating means to the slide to cause said operating means to impart a feeding and a take-up movement to said slide to feed the cartridges, one at a time, fromthe container, through the channel, and thence into the magazine; means to lift the last fed cartridge out of the path of movement of the next fed cartridge; rollers on the lifting means; camming surfaces on the links 0001)- erating with the rollers, during take-up movement of the slide, to lift the lifting means; means operated by the slide during its take-up movement to latch the lifting means in lifted position until the next fed cartridge has started beneath the last fed cartridge, whereupon saidslide, during its feeding movement, unlatches said latching means; and means operated by theslide, during its feeding movement, to force the lifting 'means downwardly out of the path of the incoming cartridge.

6. In a device of the class described for transferring firearm cartridges from a container to a magazine for repeatin firearms, said magazine having a mouthfor the insertion and removal of cartridges and a follower or feeding mechanism normally effective to urge the cartridges toward the mouth but adapted to be rendered ineffective to so urge said cartridges when the magazine is being filled, the combination of a stand comprising a table portion and. supports therefor; two openings in the table for the insertion, respectively, of the container and the magazine; separate means to clamp the container and the magazinc in their respective openings; a channel in the table connecting the two openings and forming a passageway for the cartridges; a slide mounted in the channel; means to reciprocate the slide in advancing and take-up directions to advancev the cartridges, one at a time, from the take-up movement to latch the lifting means in lifting position, said latching meansadapted to be rendered ineffective by the slide during its feeding movement and after the next advanced cartridge hasrstarted-beneath the, last advanced cartridge; means operated by the slide and effective after the latch has been rendered ineffective to force the lifting means downwardly out of the path of the next advanced cartridge; and afriction device cooperating with the cartridge follower or feeding mechanismto yieldingly retain said follower mechanism in contact with the cartridges to prevent misalinement and sticking of said cartridges as they are fed into the magazme.

7. In a device of the class described for-transferring firearm cartridges from a container to a magazine for repeating firearms, said magazine having a mouth for the insertion and removal of cartridges and a follower or feeding mechanism normally effective to vurge said cartridges toward the mouth but adapted to be rendered'ineffectiveto so urge said cartridges when the magazine is being filled, the combination of a stand comprising a table portion and supports therefor; two openings in thetable for the insertion, respectively, of the container and the magazine; separatemeans to clamp the container and the magazine in their respective openings; a channel in the table connecting the twoopenings and forming a passageway for the cartridges as they are fed from the container to the magazine; a reciprocating slidemounted in the channel and adapted to feed the cartridges from the container into the magazine; a lifting device operable in conjunction with the slide to lift the last fed cartridge out of the path of movement of the next fed cartridge; and a friction device connectible to the cartridge follower mechanism and operable in conjunction therewith to apply sufficient resistance to the cartridges as they are fed into the magazine to hold said cartridges in close formation so that they will not become misalined and interfere with the proper loading of said magazine.

8. In a device of the class described for transferring cartridges from a container to a magazine for repeating firearms, said magazine having a mouth for the insertion and removal of cartridges and a follower or feeding mechanism normally effective to urge the cartridges toward the mouth but adapted to be rendered ineffective to so urge said cartridges when the magazine is beingfilled, the combination of a stand comprising a table portionand supports therefor; two openings in the table to receive, respectively, the container and the-magazine; separate means to clamp the container and the magazine in their respective openings; an inclined channel connecting the openings and forming a passageway for the cartridges; a slide reciprocably mounted in thechannel; a crank to operate the slide; links to connect the crank to the slide so that operation of said crank will reciprocate said slide in feeding and return directions to feed the cartridges, one at a time, from the container into the; mouth of the magazine; a, block slidably mounted on the tableand adapted; to lift the last fedcartridge out of the path of movement of the incoming cartridge and into the magazine proper so that the incoming cartridge may move into the mouth of the magazine; rollers on the block; camming surfaces on the links adapted to cooperate with the rollers, during return movement of the slide to raise theblock to lift the cartridges; a projection on the slide; means operated by the projection, during return movement of the slide, to latch the block in raised position until the incoming cartridge has moved partially beneath the last fed cartridge, after which said projection, during feeding movement of the slide, unlatches said latching means; means operated by the projection, during feeding movement of the slide, to force the block downwardly out of the path of the incoming car- 10 tridge; a friction device connectible to the cartridge follower mechanism and operablein conjunction therewith to cause said follower mechanism to apply suflicient resistance to the cartridges as they are fed into the magazine to hold said cartridges in close formation so that they will not become misalined and interfere with the proper loading of said magazine.

ROBERT M. WHITMORE. 

